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Atlanta: Coca-Cola is expanding its beverage innovation efforts as restaurants and consumers increasingly seek customisable drinks, from dirty sodas and refreshers to speciality coffee and energy beverages.

The company is developing new equipment at its innovation facilities in Atlanta, including technology that could allow its Freestyle dispensers to make dirty sodas by combining soft drinks with syrups, cream and other ingredients.

Coca-Cola targets customisable drinks

Coca-Cola is also testing Micro Matic dispensers that can produce brightly coloured refreshers and exploring white-label beverage options that can be customised by colour and flavour.

The move comes as restaurants increasingly turn to speciality drinks to attract customers and boost sales. According to Circana data cited in the report, beverage servings at restaurants outpaced servings of food alone and food combined with beverages during the second quarter.

Coke executives say younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, increasingly view drinks as affordable treats, energy boosters and social experiences.

Freestyle evolves beyond soft drinks

Coca-Cola’s Freestyle dispenser has delivered more than 67 billion eight-ounce servings since its introduction 17 years ago. The machines also collect real-time data, allowing the company to identify which flavours are performing well and where demand is increasing.

Coke is developing a smaller Freestyle Mini for bars and restaurants with limited space. The machine can offer up to 16 drink choices, more than twice the options available through a traditional soda gun.

The company has also created a prototype that adds a dairy module to Freestyle machines, allowing restaurants to prepare dirty sodas with less manual work.

Refreshers and energy drinks in focus

Coca-Cola is testing Micro Matic equipment for refreshers and iced coffee-style drinks as the popularity of customised beverages grows.

The company is also developing a colourless, relatively unflavoured energy drink in frozen and liquid forms. It plans to launch the product with food-service operators in the first half of 2027.

A 12-ounce serving is expected to contain 106 milligrams of caffeine, according to the report.

McDonald’s and other chains drive competition

Coca-Cola’s push comes as major restaurant chains expand their speciality beverage menus.

McDonald’s has introduced refreshers and crafted sodas in the US, while other chains including Wendy’s and Dunkin’ are also expanding their drink offerings.

For Coca-Cola, the growing beverage trend represents an opportunity to provide restaurants with equipment and products that can deliver greater variety while helping operators attract customers and increase beverage sales.